Apogee Photonics Introduces Next Generation Lasers for 100 Gigabit Optical Networks.

Apogee Photonics' Uncooled 20Gb/s and 25Gb/s 1310nm CWDM Lasers Enable Emerging 100GbE Optical Standards

ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- Apogee Photonics, supplier of the industry's broadest line of 10Gb/s and 40Gb/s laser sources for the communications industry, today announced it is introducing new laser sources designed to meet the rapid demand for very high speed optical data links. Apogee's new development efforts will enable the cost-effective transmission of the emerging class of "triple-play" applications - Internet, VOIP and interactive video services - that are driving the future need for data link transmission speeds approaching 100Gb/s.

In support of standards currently under development by the IEEE 802.3 Higher Speed Study Group, Apogee Photonics is developing a family of uncooled CWDM lasers that will support aggregate data rates of more than 100Gb/s. Two product variations, both under consideration by the IEEE study group, will be available: first, a 20Gb/s 1310nm EML used in a five-channel CWDM configuration and, alternatively, a 25Gb/s EML in a four-channel configuration. These CWDM-based approaches to 100Gb/s data links build on the highly successful LX4 implementation of 10GbE transponders, as well as the recently announced X40 1310nm CWDM solution for 40Gb/s links.

The Apogee Photonics uncooled 20Gb/s and 25Gb/s 1310 EML lasers are based on the company's successful uncooled 10Gb/s 1310nm EML sources, which have best-in-class mask margin and the ability to operate uncooled over temperature ranges of -20 to 90 degrees Celsius. Apogee Photonics' uncooled 10Gb/s 1310nm EML is deployed at tier-one OEM and module customers worldwide.

"The key advantage of Apogee Photonics' 10Gb/s uncooled 1310nm EML is that the bandwidth can be significantly increased beyond 10Gb/s, unlike directly modulated DFB's that are challenged at data rates above 10Gb/s," said Milind Gokhale, CTO of Apogee Photonics. "In addition, the 20Gb/s and 25Gb/s EML sources support the 10km link distance targeted by the 802.3 Study Group."

CEO Mike Decelle said, "Apogee Photonics' goal is to develop enabling photonics technologies that anticipate future customer needs. While the development of a 100GbE standard is only recently underway, our world-class indium phosphide technology portfolio is fully capable of supporting one of the candidate technologies for implementing the next advance in Ethernet transmission speeds. Our 10Gb/s uncooled 1310nm EML is well established as the most reliable and highest performance laser source in its class, and it is upon this foundation that the next generation of Ethernet technology can be enabled."

The Apogee Photonics EML lasers will be available for sample evaluation in early 2007 and, subject to ratification of the 100GbE IEEE standard, generally available as early as the second half of 2007.

About Apogee Photonics Inc.

Apogee Photonics is a pure play supplier of high speed, integrated optical components to the communications industry, providing the broadest line of 10 Gb/s laser sources from short-reach up to DWDM. Apogee Photonics' innovative technology, which is deployed in tier-one system OEMs and module vendors worldwide, exceeds the capabilities of other optical semiconductor technologies in terms of distance-extinction-power product, reduced power dissipation, or uncooled operation for extended temperatures. Field-tested and deployed in large volumes, the Apogee Photonics product family is highly reliable and Telcordia certified. Apogee Photonics is ISO 9001 certified and is headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.apogeephotonics.com.